This is a sport that brings together its share of enthusiasts, on land and sea. The va’a races bring together nearly a thousand participants, men and women, under-18, juniors and seniors, who come forth at the end of long months of intense training. For beyond the passion, it is indeed endurance that the competitors will need. From V1 to V16, the rowers will have to paddle between 2600 m and 24 km for the longest race. Au terme de ces heures de courses, malgré la souffrance et la fatigue, restent surtout la légèreté des équipages qui filent et glissent sur l’eau, la beauté du sport et la joie d’arriver enfin.
Once on the water, many qualities are needed to lead one’s outrigger to victory: from the weight of the canoe – which can weigh up to 200 kg – to the force of the swell, the direction of the currents to the wind, observation is equally essential for choosing the best route.
At the end of these hours of racing, despite the pain and the fatigue, remain the lightness of the crews that glide on the water, the beauty of the sport and the joy of finally crossing the finish line.
